NBA Draft: Local Love

26. June 2009  - Published by Dan Clasgens
Comments (2)

Here's a look at some of the local players taken in Thursday's NBA draft and where they landed...

Terrence Williams (6-6, 213) - SG - Louisville
Rd. 1 - 11th pick - New Jersey
Analysis: With the Nets trading Vince Carter, they are starting over. Williams is one of the best athletes in the draft, has a ton of skills and can really defend. He's an eccentric dude and he doesn't always come to play, but when he does, wow. It will be fun to watch Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Williams, Yi Jianlian and Brook Lopez grow up together. They'll lose a lot of games, but there's a lot of potential there.

Earl Clark (6-10, 226) - SF
Rd. 1 - 14th pick - Phoenix
Analysis: The Suns have clearly decided to rebuild, and with Clark, they get one of the five top talents of the draft. Clark can do everything -- he's long and athletic and he can play multiple positions, including point forward. His effort was inconsistent at Louisville, but he's got as much upside as anyone in the draft. If they trade away Amare Stoudemire to Golden State, they'll have a nice young core with Andris Biedrins, Brandan Wright, Clark, Robin Lopez and (if they got the 7th pick) Stephen Curry. If that happens, the Suns won't be all that great from the get-go, but they'll be fun. The question is, will Steve Nash stay around to lead them?

Derrick Brown (6-9 225) - PF - Xavier
Rd. 2 - 10th pick (40th overall) - Charlotte
Analysis: I love this pick for the Bobcats. I think Brown, had he stayed in school another year, would've been a surefire first-round pick. He's an excellent athlete; he can play the 3 and the 4; and he still has lots of upside.

Jodie Meeks (6-4 211) - SG - Kentucky
Rd. 2. 11th pcik (41st overall) - Milwaukee
Analysis: Meeks can provide some big-time scoring off the bench. Nice pick here, although I worry about his lack of athleticism.

*Analysis by ESPN's Chad Ford - COMPLETE TAKES

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Comments

Dog Chic
Dog Chic
6/26/2009 12:10:00 PM #
Being a Cavs fan, I am really wondering why they drafted Christian Eyegna.  There were two players from Pitt I would have loved to have.  Oh well.  We got Shaq!
Dan Clasgens
Dan Clasgens
6/26/2009 1:28:22 PM #
Shaq is a nice addition, but I am not sure it as much of an upgrade overall for the Cavs.
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